Portable device for knotting cord and the like

ABSTRACT

A device for knotting a cord and the like comprising a substantially U-shaped element having a handle and with resilient leaf springs disposed on opposite sides of the leg members of the U-shpaed element, with said element having slots therein for receiving slotted axle members therein with the slotted axle members being disposed on opposite sides of a U-shaped prong member and a knurled wheel member extending from one of said slots for rotating said prong member and slotted axle members.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Shannon F. Cruzan 289/17 East 9605 Maxwell Ave., Spokane, Wash. 2,773,713 12/1956 Smalley 289/17 99206 2,825,592 3/1958 Semp1e..... 289/17 [21] Appl. No. 843,050 2,843,961 7/1958 Semple 289/17X [22] Filed July 18, 1969 Prima ry Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt [45] Patented 1971 Att0rneyBerman, Davidson and Ber-man (54] PORTABLE DEVICE FOR KNOTTING CORD AND THE LIKE 9 Claims 6 Drawmg Flgs' ABSTRACT: A device for knotting a cord and the like com- US. Cl prising a substantially U-shaped element having a handle and l 1 Cl with resilient leaf springs disposed on opposite sides of the leg [50] Field of Search 289/17; m mber of the U-shaped element, with said element having 1 slots therein for receiving slotted axle members therein with the slotted axle members being disposed on opposite sides of a [56] References Cltgd U-shaped prong member and a knurled wheel member ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS tending from one of said slots for rotating said prong member 2,498,920 2/1950 Holland 289/17 and slotted axle members.

46 2o 24 Z4 Z0 2 2a Z2 34 M k I 32 4 26 g "m 12 /2 32 ,5 fl 4 28 We /0 2,502,751 4/1950. Roberts PATENTED manna INVENTOR- PORTABLE DEVICE FOR KNO'I'IING CORD AND THE LIKE The present invention relates to a portable device for enabling one to tie a knot, more particularly to such a device that can be readily used to tie a knot in a small diameter cord, such as a monofilament and the like, although it is not limited to such a use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and yet efficient device for fastening the free extremities of smooth lines together when a secure, slippage-free knot is desired.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an easily manufactured and inexpensive device having a substantially U-shaped configuration and being substantially flat that can readily be used to secure together the free ends of a cord or line and the like.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof and in which:

FIG. I is a top plan view of the portable knot tying device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1 with portions broken away and in section.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the manner of threading the pieces of line to be fastened together into a knot onto the device.

FIG. 5 illustrates the two pieces of line after they have been removed from the device; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the finished product when the knot tying device of the present invention is used.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the portable knot tying device of the present invention which is substantially flat and comprises a U-shaped base element I2, having two flat legs I4 in a bight 16 with a ring handle I8 through which a finger may be inserted, disposed on its lower end. The outer ends of the legs are provide with journal grooves 20 or cutout portions therein and the legs are slotted to communicate with the grooves along their entire lengths. The journal grooves receive correspondingly slotted axle members 22 therein. The slotted axle members 22 are substantially cylindrical so that they may rotate in the journal grooves 20 and are further provided with elongated slots 24 adjacent their upper ends as best seen in FIG. 2. The axle members 22 are disposed in alignment on opposite sides of a substantially U-shape prong member 26, which is disposed in the open space forming the U in the base element 12. The prong member 26 is provided with two prongs 46 that extend substantially above the ends of the legs 14, as best seen in FIG. 2. The bight portion 28 of the prong member 26 extends substantially below the axle members and the slots in which they are disposed.

The axle member 22 disposed on the right side of the device is provided with a knurled wheel 30 that is also slotted, as indicated at 32' in FIG. 3, and which slot is in alignment with the slot 24 of the axle member. The wheel 30'is provided so that it can be readily gripped or grasped by the ball of the thumb and so that the axle members and the U-shaped prong member 26 can be turned or rotated.

The outer sides of the legs 14 are provided with two leaf springs 32 having a curled lip 34. The leaf springs are riveted by the rivets 34a to the legs 14.

The device is further provided with a brass loop 36 for fastening a chain 38 with a T-bar thereto so that the T-bar on the chain can be threaded or inserted through the buttonhole of a shirt or a jacket.

In operation, when it is desired to use the portable knotting device of the present invention, two separate pieces of a line to be joined together are threaded through the device in the following manner. A first line or cord 40 of a continuous length is threaded between the leaf spring 32 and the leg 14 on the left side of the device illustrated in FIG. 2 until about 2 inches of the free extremity of the line designated 42 extends beyond the leaf spring 32, as best seen in FIG. 4. Thereafter,

the continuous portion 40 of the line is threaded through the groove 24 as indicated at 44 and thereafter the line is passed around the upstanding prongs 46 and to the rear of them, as indicated at 48, in FIG. 4. Thereafter, this line is threaded through the groove or slot 20 and the axle slot 24 in the right leg of the U-shaped element as seen in FIG. 2. This portion of the line is indicated at 50 in FIG. 4. The line is then led out of the slot or groove in the right leg I4 and is threaded behind the leaf spring 32 on the right leg 14.

Thereafter, the short section or the free extremity of the second line designated 54 is inserted under the leaf spring 32 on the right leg 14 of the device leaving a short end approximately 2 inches protruding beyond the leaf spring. Thereafter the continuous section of the line designated 56 is disposed in the slot 20 and the slot 24 in the right axle member 22, as seen in FIG. 2, and is thereafter passed in front of the prongs 46 as indicated at 58 in FIG. 4. This continuous section of line is then passed into the grooves or slots 20 and 24 in the left leg 14, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 2, and is then placed under the leaf spring 32 on the left leg 14, as indicated at 60 in FIG. 4.

Thereafter the knurled wheel 30 has the ball of the thumb placed upon it, and it is spun until there are eight or l0 turns in line, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Thereafter, the short end of the line 42 under the leaf spring on the left leg 14 is inserted through the space 62 between the prongs, as indicated in FIG. 4, with this short end 42 of the line being inserted from the top of the prongs downwardly into the space or loop formed therein. Thereafter, the short end 54 on the right side of the device is removed from the leaf spring 32 on the right leg and it is inserted through the space or loop 62 from the bottom of the prongs upwardly as indicated in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the continuous sections of the line are removed from the leaf springs and pulled snug. Then the short end of the string can be clipped and leave approximately one thirtysecond of an inch protruding from the knot that has been formed.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the form, location and relative arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is not intended to limit the invention except by the scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A device for tying a knot comprising an upstanding U- shaped base element provided with a journal groove in each leg and a slot communicating with each groove passing through the wall of the groove and extending for the entire length thereof, prong means disposed in the bight of said U- shaped base element and having axle members disposed for rotating in said journal grooves, each of said axle members having a longitudinal slot for receiving a length of cord to be knotted by passing through one of said slots of said legs, and means for rotating said axle members and connected prong means.

2. The device of claim I wherein said slotted axle members are cylindrical and have a substantially vertical longitudinally extending slot therein.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said prong means comprise a substantially U-shaped rod with said axle members disposed on opposite sides thereof.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the sides of said U-shaped rod extend beyond a line connecting the bottoms of said slots in the legs of the base element.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the outer end of each of said lots in the legs of the base element is covered by a spring clip for clasping a cord to be knotted.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said rotating means comprises a knurled slotted wheel formed on one of said axle members.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the slot of said wheel is a radial slot extending from center to periphery and from side to side to pass a cord into said slot of the adjacent axle member.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said U-shaped element is substantially flat and is provided with a ring forming a handle thereon. j g

9. The device of claim 8 wherein a pin is disposed in said U- shaped element with a chain and T-bar connected thereto. 

2. A device for tying a knot comprising an upstanding U-shaped base element provided with a journal groove in each leg and a slot communicating with each groove passing through the wall of the groove and extending for the entire length thereof, prong means disposed in the bight of said U-shaped base element and having axle members disposed for rotating in said journal grooves, each of said axle members having a longitudinal slot for receiving a length of cord to be knOtted by passing through one of said slots of said legs, and means for rotating said axle members and connected prong means.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said slotted axle members are cylindrical and have a substantially vertical longitudinally extending slot therein.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said prong means comprise a substantially U-shaped rod with said axle members disposed on opposite sides thereof.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the sides of said U-shaped rod extend beyond a line connecting the bottoms of said slots in the legs of the base element.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the outer end of each of said lots in the legs of the base element is covered by a spring clip for clasping a cord to be knotted.
 6. The device of claim 3 wherein said rotating means comprises a knurled slotted wheel formed on one of said axle members.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the slot of said wheel is a radial slot extending from center to periphery and from side to side to pass a cord into said slot of the adjacent axle member.
 8. The device of claim 6 wherein said U-shaped element is substantially flat and is provided with a ring forming a handle thereon.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein a pin is disposed in said U-shaped element with a chain and T-bar connected thereto. 